Police call for caution on roads with snow forecast for Sunday

With the first snowfall for Calgary and parts of Alberta in Sunday’s forecast, roads are bound to be slippery and police are urging motorists to drive cautiously.

Rain is expected to change to snow Sunday morning, with an estimated five to 10 cm falling throughout the day. Temperatures are expected to be below zero Sunday and Monday.

That means roads will be slick.

“Some drivers are unprepared for the annual transition from the dry pavement of summer to winter driving conditions that can include snow and slush covered highways, black ice and blizzards,” said RCMP traffic Supt. Howard Eaton.

“This first snowfall is a reminder and an opportunity to get prepared for winter driving, which means preparing our vehicles and adjusting our driving.”

Official road reports are updated at www.511.alberta.ca

Unless travel is absolutely necessary, stay off the roads during major storms, Eaton said.

If you must travel, plan to take the safest, shortest route possible and ensure you have your winter emergency kit in the vehicle.

Keep your headlights on all the time -- don’t rely on daytime running lights. Low beams are more effective than high beams in fog or heavy snow conditions.

On a wet or slick surface, allow yourself at least three times the normal following distance to stop.

Remember that bridge decks may be slippery even when other parts of the highway are not, since they are subject to greater temperature fluctuations.

An emergency road kit in your vehicle’s trunk or cargo space can include a blanket or sleeping bag, extra clothing and boots, snow and ice scrapers, booster cables, matches and a candle in a deep tin, a shovel, and road salt or kitty litter.

Make sure cell phones are fully charged before you drive, police say.

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